The United States Geological Survey (USGS) publishes a catalog of topographical maps covering the state of Hawaii (also American Samoa and Guam). Ask for the publications entitled “Hawaii Catalog of Topographical and Other Published Maps” and “Hawaii Index to Topographical and Other Map Coverage.” The catalog lists over-the-counter dealers of U.S. geological maps in Hawaii. Many libraries maintain reference files of the published maps of the Geological Survey. In Hawaii the maps are deposited in the library at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, and at the Joseph F. Smith Library on the Brigham Young University–Hawaii Campus.

The Hawaii State Archives has detailed “fire maps” of Honolulu dating back to 1879. Urban areas on other islands also begin as early as 1912. These maps were made for fire insurance purposes and show the placement of buildings on lots and the type of construction.

Many historical maps of Hawaii are online at the Hawaii GenWeb Project website (see page 16). The USGS has excellent maps for the geology and environment of the islands. Its office for Hawaii is at 677 Alamoana Blvd., Ste. 415, Honolulu, HI 96813 http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/stateinfo/HI.html.